Castle of Ceremonies closes: La Sonrisa loses licenses after Council of State ruling
The famous reality TV venue Grand Hotel La Sonrisa, the Castle of Ceremonies, has ceased all activities on Monday after the Council of State confirmed the withdrawal of its operating licenses, ending a 40-year run.
The closure
On Monday, 15 June 2026, the Grand Hotel La Sonrisa in Sant'Antonio Abate near Naples permanently shut its doors. The venue, known across Italy as the Castle of Ceremonies from the Real Time reality series, had been operating for over 40 years. Its website now shows a standard message: "We are sorry but there are no rooms available for the selected period". The last event, a superstition-themed party, took place the day before on Sunday 14 June. No further bookings are being accepted.
The legal battle
The closure stems from a long legal dispute over illegal land subdivision. In February 2024, the Court of Cassation issued a definitive ruling confirming the confiscation of the complex. The Municipality of Sant'Antonio Abate became the property owner and began revoking operating licenses. The Polese family, heirs of founder Don Antonio Polese and operators Imma Polese and her husband Matteo Giordano, fought the decisions. On 8 June 2026, the Council of State published an ordinance rejecting their latest appeal, making the license revocation final. The ruling noted the confiscation is enforceable even against companies tied to the family, citing two Cassation rulings from 2025 and 2026.
- Court of Cassation confirms confiscation of the complex for illegal land subdivision
- Council of State publishes ordinance rejecting appeal and making license revocation final
- Last event held at the venue, a superstition-themed party
- Licences revoked; venue ceases hotel and restaurant operations
- Court of Cassation hearing on the Polese family's appeals
- Public hearing for definitive decision on the merits
Impact on bookings and workers
The timing hits during the high season for weddings (June to September). Many events had been booked months or even a year in advance. Imma Polese and Matteo Giordano are redirecting those clients to alternative venues in the Vesuvius and Stabia areas, which have many villas suitable for lavish ceremonies. This morning, a delegation of direct employees met with the Prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari, to address the job losses. The shutdown also affects the wider ecosystem of florists, suppliers of raw materials, and wedding equipment providers.
Television icon
The hotel became nationally famous through the reality shows "Il Boss delle Cerimonie" and later "Il Castello delle Cerimonie", which followed the Polese family's extravagant Neapolitan weddings. After the death of Don Antonio, his daughter Imma took over the on-screen role. The venue had become a symbol of over-the-top southern celebrations.
A lifetime of work deserves respect and protection, it cannot be erased suddenly. The State must not forget us: it has a duty to protect us, and do so with love.
Next legal steps
Several court dates remain. On 9 July 2026, the Court of Cassation will hear additional appeals filed by the Polese family's lawyers. A public hearing for a definitive decision on the merits is scheduled for 24 November 2026. The case has also been brought before the European Court of Human Rights, though Strasbourg proceedings are slow and unlikely to affect the current season.
